Methika (Methi)

Methika (Hindi Methi; botanical name Trigonella foenum-graecum) is fenugreek. The Bhavaprakasha Nighantu gives it a section of three verses in the Haritakyadi varga: two verses of names, eighteen in all, and one on its properties, which also covers vana methi, the wild kind (p. 290, verses 93–95). A little later, methi is one of the four seeds of chaturbija (p. 293, verses 98–99).

Names

मेथिका मेथिनी मेथी दीपनी बहुपत्रिका । बोधिनी बहुबीजा च ज्योतिर्गन्धफला तथा ॥ ९३ ॥ वल्लरी चन्द्रिका मन्था मिश्रपुष्पा च कैरवी । कुञ्चिका बहुपर्णी च पीतबीजा मुनिच्छदा ॥ ९४ ॥

The two verses give eighteen Sanskrit names: Methika, Methini, Methi, Dipani ("the kindler"), Bahupatrika ("many-leaved"), Bodhini, Bahubija ("many-seeded"), Jyoti, Gandhaphala ("fragrant-fruited"), Vallari, Chandrika, Mantha, Mishrapushpa, Kairavi, Kunchika, Bahuparni ("many-leaved"), Pitabija ("yellow-seeded") and Munichchhada. Chandrika is also the first name of chandrashura, described two verses later (p. 290, verses 93–94).

Properties

मेथिका वातशमनी श्लेष्मघ्नी ज्वरनाशिनी । ततः स्वल्पगुणा वन्या वाजिनां सा तु पूजिता ॥ ९५ ॥

• Doshas: calms vata (vatashamani) and removes kapha (shleshmaghni)
• Used in: fever (jvara), which it is said to destroy

The text gives no taste, potency or post-digestive effect for methi (p. 290, verse 95).

Vana methi, the wild kind

The second line of verse 95 says that the wild methi (vanya) has much weaker properties than methi, but is highly valued (pujita) for horses (p. 290, verse 95).

Chaturbija

मेथिका चन्द्रशूरश्च कालाऽजाजी यवानिका । एतच्चतुष्टयं युक्तं चतुर्बीजमिति स्मृतम् ॥ ९८ ॥ तच्चूर्णं भक्षितं नित्यं निहन्ति पवनामयम् । अजीर्णं शूलमाध्मानं पार्श्वशूलं कटिव्यथाम् ॥ ९९ ॥

Methi, chandrashura, kalajaji (which the Hindi translation calls mangraila) and yavanika (ajwain) together are called chaturbija, "the four seeds". According to the text, their powder taken daily destroys vata disorders, indigestion, colic, bloating, pain in the side and backache (p. 293, verses 98–99).

The plant

The Hindi commentary of this edition adds notes on methi (pp. 290–291):

• Botanical name: Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn., family Papilionaceae. English: fenugreek.
• Where it grows: cultivated in almost every region; in Punjab and Kashmir it also grows wild.
• The plant: 6 inches to about 16–17 inches tall. Each leaf stalk carries three leaflets, half an inch to an inch long, oval and finely toothed. The flowers are small and pale yellow. The pods are 2–3 inches long, slightly curved and pointed, each with 10–20 yellow seeds; the seeds are the part mostly used in treatment.
• Constituents: the dried whole plant holds about 16% protein. The seeds hold the alkaloids trigonelline and choline, a yellow colouring matter, 6% fixed oil, 22% protein and 28% gum; burnt, they leave 7% ash, a quarter of it phosphoric acid. Because of their phosphates, lecithin and nucleo-albumin, the commentary calls the seeds nourishing and strengthening like cod-liver oil.
• Actions noted: the seeds are unctuous, aromatic, move wind downward, kindle digestion, relieve bloating, strengthen (balya), act as an aphrodisiac (vrishya), remove vata, contract the uterus, increase breast milk and reduce swelling. The leaves are cooling, soothe burning, reduce swelling and are mildly laxative.
• Preparations and uses:
  • Laddus made from the seeds are given after childbirth; they raise the appetite and clear the bowels and the menstrual flow. They are also used in indigestion, weak digestion, amavata and weak sexual vigour.
  • A lassi made with methi is given to new mothers to increase milk.
  • In bloody diarrhoea and in pox (masurika), the seeds are roasted and given as an infusion (phanta).
  • For body ache, 1/2–1 tola of the seeds is eaten.
  • Seeds roasted in ghee, with aniseed (badiyan) and salt, are used to stop diarrhoea.
  • The seeds can be given in place of cod-liver oil, and are used in scrofula (gandamala), children's wasting (phakka), anaemia (pandu), vatarakta, diabetes (madhumeha) and weakness after infectious illness. In Egypt they are sprouted and eaten to keep off fever; they are also said to help in diabetes.
  • The seeds keep the skin soft and clean; a paste helps in hair fall and swelling; a pessary is used in white discharge (shvetapradara).
  • A paste of the leaves is put on swelling and burning. In heatstroke the ground leaves are rubbed on the body and also taken by mouth.
  • Being cheap, nourishing and strengthening, methi is also fed to cattle.
• Dose given: powder, 1/4–1/2 tola.
• Regional names: Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Marathi and Gujarati Methi; Telugu Mentulu, Mendulu, Menti; Tamil Vendayam; Malayalam Uluva; Persian Tukhm-e-shamlit; Arabic Hulba.

Vana methi in the commentary

The commentary takes vana methi to be a separate plant (p. 291):

• Botanical name: Melilotus parviflora Desf. (also called Trifolium indicum Linn.), family Leguminosae. Hindi Vanmethi, Jangli methi; Punjabi Sinji; Sindhi Jir; Arabic Aklil-ul-malik.
• Where it grows: wild in the western peninsula, Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.
• The plant: a small annual with three-leaflet leaves, toothed leaflets, tiny yellow flowers in spikes and a flat, oval, one-seeded pod.
• Uses noted: the seeds bind the stool and help in colic, diarrhoea and bowel disorders; used in painful menstruation, amavata and scrofula, and to purify the blood. A lapsi (thin porridge) of it is given to children with diarrhoea.

Sources

• Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Haritakyadi varga, verses 93–95: p. 290; chaturbija, verses 98–99: p. 293 (scan and text on SarvaKosh)
• Vidyotini Hindi commentary, notes on methi and vana methi: pp. 290–291

This page describes what the granth says. It is not medical advice; consult a qualified vaidya before using any remedy.